d f d rexel f ellowships A look at the Fulbright, Marshall, and Mitchell Scholarships

What are Fellowships? On the downside… Competitive Very demanding application process Not Financial Aid On the upside… Extremely prestigious Often quite generous Exposure to new ideas, new people, new cultures.

Drexel 2008 Fellowship Winners NSF – 12 Fulbright – 3 National Security Education Program – 1 Jack Kent Cooke – 1 Goldwater – 1 World Bank – 1 Rotary International – 1 Freeman Asia – 4 Gilman – 4 Baden-Wurtenburg - 4

Mitchell Scholarship What is it? One year of graduate study in any discipline offered by institutions of higher learning in Ireland and Northern Ireland. 12 awards annually Why? Designed to introduce and connect generations of future American leaders to the island of Ireland, while recognizing and fostering intellectual achievement, leadership, and a commitment to public service and community. What’s it cover? The Mitchell Scholarship provides tuition, housing, a living expenses stipend, and an international travel stipend

Mitchell Application Eligibility and Criteria years old US citizen Three main criteria: academic excellence, leadership, and a sustained commitment to service and community. How and when do I apply? Drexel deadline : September 20, 2008 Online application, 5 recommendations; proof of citizenship; transcripts; 1000-word personal essay 3-5 desired graduate programs at Irish institutions. University endorsement required. 20 finalists interviewed in DC on November 21-22; 12 selected. Website:

Marshall Scholarship What is it? Two academic years of graduate study in the UK in any discipline, leading to the award of a British graduate degree, usually an MPhil. 40 awards annually. Why? To strengthen British-American understanding, especially among the US’ top scholars and future leaders. What’s it cover? Two years of University fees, cost of living expenses, annual book grant, thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the United States and, where applicable, a contribution towards the support of a dependent spouse.

Marshall Application Eligibility and Criteria US Citizen Recent graduate of US institution; no UK degree Minimum 3.7 GPA “DISTINCTION OF INTELLECT AND CHARACTER AS EVIDENCED BOTH BY THEIR SCHOLASTIC ATTAINMENTS AND BY THEIR OTHER ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS…POTENTIAL TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THEIR OWN SOCIETY…STRONG MOTIVATION AND SERIOUSNESS OF PURPOSE...” How and when do I apply? Drexel deadline: September 20, Apply in either your home region or here in Philadelphia (NY region). Online application, four recommendations, transcripts, essays. Selection of 2 preferred UK Universities. Drexel University endorsement required. Interviews November Website:

Fulbright Scholarship What is it? One academic year of international graduate study, research, and/or teaching. About 6000 grants annually, depending on federal funding. Available in about 155 different countries. Why? Sponsored by the US State Department with the goal of promoting “mutual understanding.” What’s it cover? Varies by country. Typically grants cover air travel, living expenses, book/research allowance, insurance. Tuition in some cases. Language study, in some cases.

Types of Grants Full Grants: Study Research English Teaching Assistantships (ETA) Available in 33 countries. 20 hours/week in classroom. No choice in placement. Critical Language Enhancements (CLA) 3-6 month intensive language study, on top of regular award. Arabic (including dialects), Azeri, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin only), Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Marathi, Pashto, Punjabi, Russian, Tajik, Turkish, Urdu, or Uzbek. Special Grants: Business, Journalism, mtvU

Eligibility/Criteria Eligibility US Citizen BS/BA (but not PhD) by start of award Preference for students who have not spent extensive time in the area they are applying to. Criteria Personal qualifications/character Engagement in host community, “mutual understanding” Feasibility of project Academic record Language preparation Competition Two-staged selection process National Screening Committee recommendations (domestic) Fulbright Commissions abroad Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board

Fulbright Scholar Aaron Sakulich Morocco BS/PhD, Materials Engineering 2009 Developing concrete-like materials from industrial waste for use in impoverished regions of North Africa. “My time in Morocco has been just one long string of fantastic amazing days. The irony is that I wasn't originally going to apply because I thought I wouldn't stand a chance, but my advisor said ‘hey, why not give it a shot?’”

Fulbright Scholar Paul Phelps India MD, Ophthalmology, 2010 Laboratory work with corneal epithelial stem cells and community outreach eye camps through the Aravind Eye Hospital, the largest and most productive eye care facility in the world.

Fulbright Scholar Andrew Blakely Spain Biomedical Engineering BS, MD 2010 Study the extent to which recommendations from Spain's national anti-obesity initiative, NAOS, have been integrated into primary care physicians' daily counseling.

Fulbright Scholar Regina Cagle Ecuador BS, Environmental Engineering, 2008 Pursuing a Master's in Sustainable Energy Development at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito while also conducting field work investigating energy solutions for developing communities. Additionally, I'll be working with the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and Engineers Without Borders while in Ecuador.

Fulbright Scholar ?

Drexel Fulbright Scholar blogs Paul Phelps FULBRIGHT INDIA Aaron Sakulich Marakablag! A bad story about good times “I like to think that’s the point of the Fulbright program: startling the crap out of foreigners by not being that American they see on TV all the time. You know the one I mean.”

Fulbright Application How and when do I apply? Drexel deadline: September 20, 2008 Online application, 3 letters of recommendation, transcripts, language certification, 2 essays. Letter of affiliation Campus interview and evaluation required (FPA) When do I hear? Two stages. First round recommendations – January 31. Final: between April and June Website: us.fulbrightonline.org

df d rexel f ellowships tips TIME MANAGEMENT! Start early; affiliation and essays can both take a good long time to complete. Identify deadlines and work backward Leave more time than you think you need Review program website, including all available criteria and advice for applicants. Review program criteria thoroughly. For Fulbright, review country-specific criteria. Be sure you are eligible. Open an online application.

Get faculty involvement early Especially with your Statement of Proposed Study or Research Get things out of the way early that you can. Language evaluation Transcripts. Essays Get specialist and non-specialist readers. Revise, revise, revise Think about the application as a whole; paint a compelling picture of yourself. df d rexel f ellowships tips

Getting Recommendations Who makes a good recommender? How/when to ask for a recommendation letter Bring materials paragraph that describes award and its selection criteria paragraph that describes you/your proposed project Sentence that tells them where to send letter and deadline CV/resume a paper or project from the class Follow up politely “No”

What Next? Which awards? Get advice: From website From faculty From Fellowships Coordinator Time management/deadlines Contact Rona Buchalter: or Q & A